NOKOMIS — Louis S. Schwartz of Witt, father of Father Rodney Schwartz of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, passed away at the Nokomis Rehab and Health Care Center on Aug. 8.

He was born on July 8, 1933 to John and Florence (Hoehn) Schwartz and was the youngest of 12 children. He resided in Witt his whole life. He married Mary Boehler in 1962, and she survives.

Louis graduated from Witt High School in 1952. He worked at Caterpillar in Decatur for 37½ years. He was a charter member of the Witt Lions Club. He was a member of St. Barbara Parish in Witt, then St. Louis Parish in Nokomis. He had also been a member of the Nokomis Knights of Columbus and Nokomis Sportsman Club. Louis was an avid Cubs and Illini sports fan. He loved his hometown, Witt.

Along with his wife, Louis is survived by a son, Father Schwartz of Pana; a daughter, Trisha Cachera (husband Brad) of Witt; and two granddaughters, Lauren Cachera and Kacie Cachera of Witt.

A Mass of Christian burial was concelebrated, with Father Schwartz as the main celebrant, on Aug. 11 at St. Louis Catholic Church in Nokomis. Burial followed in St. Barbara’s Catholic Cemetery in Witt. Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

The family requests that any memorials be donated to the Witt Lions Club, or Witt Fire Department, or St. Barbara’s Catholic Cemetery in Witt.